Seattle Day 1 - Saturday February 11

It's further than you think. About 5 hours by plane and then you have a 3-hour time difference. And you cross mountains. Seattle is very different as well than Atlanta. I always thought it was on the coast - it ain't. It's some part of a bunch of peninsulas, lakes, and islands. 
Though I didn't have a lot scheduled, I seemed to do a lot. I picked up my rental car, went downtown to the Space Needle, went shopping, went to my AirBnB, went to 2 bowling alleys (but didn't bowl), played some pinball, and finished the night off with an excellent escape room at Escape Breaks in Bellevue. I signed up for a public room and got 6 others (a couple and a foursome) who were a terrific team, though 3 of them were room virgins. Last pic is in honor of Eddie.
First impressions of Seattle? Lots of cars and highways, lots of people, vibrant night life, a lot is inside connected with tunnels and sky bridges, folks are very friendly (and young compared to me, but then who isn't? Oh, yeah, Peter - my BFF Peter is older but he doesn't admit it.)

Seattle Day 2 - Sunday February 12 - Part 1

Today started with a 3 hour bus tour of Seattle. We got a lot of history of Seattle including the history of their underground Seattle which is significantly more extensive than Atlanta's. 40 years after its founding, when it was about 27 acres in size, a major fire burned all the existing buildings which were made of wood. The new city was built 20 feet or so on top of the ruins. Today, part of the rooms have been made safe and tours are given. I may see if I can wangle a tour tomorrow. 
This tour included Amazon's 3 big buildings downtown and the Amazon spheres. 
We next drove through outside of Pike's Place Market. This was created before World War 1 (1912) and it blossomed into a place with 500 stalls where farmers could sell their produce. However, a significant portion were Japanese and during the forced interment during World War 2, these folks had to sell all their property and most gave up farming after the war.
We saw a lot of downtown and then headed to the Fremont Troll under the Bridge. In 1990, the bridge was a huge drug dealing place. The city built the Troll as an attraction hoping to draw crowds making the drug dealers and homeless people go away and it worked. 
We went up to one of the highest hills near town (Seattle was built on 7 hills) and had a great view of the city.

Seattle Day 2 - Sunday February 12 - Part 2

Part 2 of the day was the Pike's Place Food Tour. There were just 4 of us and because it meant we didn't have to wait as long, we got to see a lot more places. I will probably drop a few. First stop was Gelato and they had Nutella flavor - yum! We next went to the fish throwing guys - you can find videos on YouTube. I tried their smoked salmon even though I normally don't eat fish and it was damn yummy! Next was a place that blends their own tea. We got a really spicy one which I only drank some. Next was the Truffle Queen and we heard stories about truffles and tasted truffle salt, black and white truffle cream (10%). Apparently, in prime season some of this stuff can run up to $400 an ounce and more (there are auctions.) Stop 5 was a produce stand where we got a taste of a Washington grown Honey Crisp. It was exquisite!
Three Girls Bakery was the first business licensed to women in Seattle in 1912! We had a raspberry pastry which was delectable! Stop 7 was Pike's Place Chowder and the owner has one best chowder maker for several years on the EAST coast - beating out Boston and other New England states. It was amazing! Next was a hot apple cider that was sweet, yet had no sugar. Awesome and perfect for this cold day. Though the day had started warm and sunny, by this point, about 3 PM, it had turned colder, cloudy and there was a chill wind. Stop 9, Beecher Cheese, we watched how the cheese was made, then tried curds followed by their signature cheese, called Flagship. We then taste tested the mac and cheese and it was fantastic! The final stop was Seatown where we got some fried fish. In addition to all the food, we also learned a lot of the history of Pike's Place Market and the various buildings. If you ever go to Seattle and have 3 hours, this tour is absolutely worth it.

Seattle Day 2 - Sunday February 12 - Part 3

I ended the evening at an awesome improv show at the Market Theater. It is locked in Pike Alley which has walls lined with gum, including the entrance to the theater.

Seattle Day 3 - Monday February 13 - Part 1

Chocolate Tasting Tour
Ivy was my guide - it was like a private tour, because I was the only one on this cold and blustery Monday in Seattle.
First stop was Cupcake Royale for chocolate ice cream - it was Chocolate Royale, a blend of 3 different chocolates and it was very yummy.

Next up was Serious Pie/Dahlia Bakery where I had some deep fudge brownies. Ivy said the pizza at Serious Pie was the best in town.

Our third stop was Maiz for a chocolate drink called Champurrado. It had corn in it and was warm - tasted like chocolate oatmeal.

At Confectional, I got an entire cupcake called the Trifecta. I could not eat it all and Ivy had part and gave away part. I was already getting stuffed.

Stop 5 was the Truffle Queen - I was offered the same (truffle paste) as I had the day before and I declined but got to try their "nutella" called Nocciolata which is dairy free.

The final stop was Fran's Chocolates where I got 3 different type of chocolates which I took to go.

So, that was breakfast.

Seattle Day 3 - Monday February 13 - Part 2

Beneath the Streets
I managed to squeeze this tour in by delaying my arrival at the Space Needle.
The business section burned down in 1898 or so destroying 27 blocks of this area. No lives were lost, but the destruction was complete.
The new construction was started with improvements in mind by 1) building up out of the watery marsh and 2) using stone and brick. Walls were constructed on both sides of the former streets and metal supports were laid on top and then stone arches built. The roads were built on top of that. The underside has also been reinforced to withstand earthquakes, since Seattle has had 3 large ones. Finally, here's a pic and a bust of Chief Seattle, after whom Seattle was named.

Seattle Day 3 - Monday February 13 - Part 3

Space Needle and Concert
I went up the Space Needle and took a few panoramic pics, but they are boring, so here's just one.  I spent all of 15 minutes there. 

Seattle Day 3 - Monday February 13 - Part 3

 
For the evening festivities, I went to a small concert venue called the Tractor Tavern . There were 3 acts. Debbie Miller, Tsubuki, and Kitty Junk. All 3 acts were amazing, but Kitty Junk had a lead guitarist, Ryan, who could play like she had an entire band and she sang like a rocker. Her drummer, Angela, was one of the best I have ever seen. This band also had very affirming lyrics, battling violence and degradation of those who are different.

Funny story though - I had NOT planned to go to a concert, but a comedy show.  For some reason, when I searched for comedy clubs/shows, this came up and since it was called "Tractor Tavern", well, that seemed like a comedic name to me.  When I go there, I was told it was a concert.  Well, for $12, I figured I'd stay and I really thoroughly enjoyed it.  In fact, Debbie Miller had asked us for a name for a new song that she had written last Friday and I came up with "Superglue", which she liked! So if she gets famous and her song Superglue comes on the radio, you know who named it.